Bengaluru Seeks Rs2000 Crore Government Approval For Five New STPs
Bengaluru’s water utility, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), has submitted a significant proposal to the state government. They seek approval for constructing five new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at an estimated cost of ₹2,000 crore. These additions are crucial to boost the city’s wastewater treatment capacity by 385 million litres per day (MLD). This expansion is vital for meeting Bengaluru’s growing demands and enhancing environmental sustainability, aiming to formalize treatment processes across the urban landscape.
The BWSSB currently operates 34 STPs with a combined capacity of 1,345 MLD, managing over 11,894 km of underground drainage. To address the existing treatment gap, the board has 20 STPs under construction with a 470 MLD capacity, costing ₹1,382 crore. Additionally, tenders have been floated for nine more STPs with a total capacity of 140 MLD under World Bank assistance. The five newly proposed plants, if approved, will significantly raise the city’s total treatment capacity to 2,343 MLD.
These proposed plants will utilize advanced technologies; two will employ an innovative single-reactor system to minimize space and power requirements, while the remaining three will use the Activated Sludge Process (ASP), allowing for sludge repurposing as compost. Despite current treatment efforts, only about 750 MLD of the 1,348 MLD treated water is reused, supplied to various institutions and public parks. The Koramangala-Challaghatta (KC) Valley project, aiming to supply 400 MLD of treated water to 145 lakes, currently supplies only 265 MLD. The central government has recognized BWSSB’s efforts with a ₹103 crore grant under the ‘Jal Hi Amrit’ programme for upgrading existing STPs. The proposed STPs include Bellandur (100 MLD), Mailasandra (100 MLD), Doddabele (60 MLD), Madivala (75 MLD), and one additional unit (50 MLD), with commissioning expected by the end of 2026.
Across Bengaluru, this significant wastewater treatment expansion underscores the city’s proactive approach to urban resource management. The proposed STPs, utilizing advanced technologies, are critical for environmental protection and sustainable water reuse. Timely government approval is essential for these projects to alleviate the growing burden on Bengaluru’s existing infrastructure, ensuring a healthier urban future.
